Turkmenistan never politicized economic co-op, president says

Time has shown that the decision of Turkmenistan on the adoption of the neutrality status was wise and far-sighted, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov said, Trend's special correspondent in Turkmenistan reported.

Berdimuhammadov made the remarks at the international conference "The policy of neutrality: International cooperation for peace, security and development" in Ashgabat, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality.

The president recalled that the fundamental provisions of Turkmenistan's positive neutrality provide peacefulness and non-interference in the affairs of other states, respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-participation in international military organizations.

He went on to add that confirmation of the choice made by Turkmenistan was the unanimous adoption of a new resolution which expressed support for the neutral policy of Turkmenistan, recognition of its constructive and peacekeeping role in the international arena in 2015 by the UN General Assembly.

The president said that while choosing neutrality strategy, Turkmenistan was primarily guided by national interests.

"The coincidence of Turkmenistan's strategic goals with tasks and objective requirements of the global development also confirms the nature of joint international efforts to promote peace, security and cooperation in Central Asia," he said.

Berdimuhammadov went on to add that in this work, one can rely on the experience gained during the holding of negotiations under the auspices of the UN in the capital of neutral Turkmenistan on a political solution of both the internal Tajik and Afghan conflicts in the mid-90s of the last century.

"Our country is ready to act as a partner of the UN in such matters as peaceful settlement of the situation in Afghanistan, assistance to regional disarmament process, reduction of stockpiles of weapons, a balanced solution of water and energy issues, providing environmental security," he said.

The president of Turkmenistan said that in solving these tasks, great importance is given to the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) with headquarters in Ashgabat established in 2007 by the world community.

Berdimuhammadov went on to add that Turkmenistan has never politicized and don't politicize economic cooperation.